Knowing that the majority of the plastic modeling society (on a global level) is made up of adults and that there’s always new kids and teens getting into the hobby it’s kind of hard to tell how old someone who either writes a thread or replies to one of yours is. Especially when in forums you can write how you like and not get hassled by spell checker or anything. I must admit, at 16 my grammar and punctuation is a lot more formal than a lot that I’ve seen on here[(-D].
It’s obvious that people such as namrednef and Mike V and daywalker are adults, we’ve seen pictures of them and their work and modeling knowledge is far too advanced for even a young adult, but then you’ve got people such as me who you would be forgiven for mistaking as a 30 somethin’ year old.
Knowing the average age of people on here would help understand why other people’s models are so much better than mine, not that that’s any real problem. Also, it would help me rest easy if I knew that the feedback and tips and advice I recieve is coming from experienced adults.
One thing I’ve noticed in my short time here is the broad spectrum of ages. I was amazed that there are so many older than me, and I’m 54.
As you have seen many of the ‘newbies’ are retired folks who now have the extra time for an involved hobby. The great thing is that regardless of age, we all seem to respect each other’s work, opinions and feelings (for the most part[(-D])
Age does not dictate quality of work. I know many young teenagers producing models that exceed my own meager skills. If you study the life cycle of the ‘average’ modeler you will often see a high level of activity during the younger years followed by a break as family and professional life develop. Later, once the home front is secure, we often see these modelers return to the hobby or as namrednef stated, retired folks who now have the extra time for an involved hobby. I am 48 and built my first model when I was 9.
I turn 25 tomorrow. I have been building models with no break since I was about 10 or so. Starting with aircraft, I have moved into nearly every genre, although not too mcuh into figures, ships, or sci-fi.
I built my first model when I was 8 or 9. It was a solid wood kit from Strombeck. The model is packed away and a reminder of my childhood days. I celebrated my 70th birthday just before Christmas. I learn new techniques and building tips from the forum all the time. The model industry has changed particularly with after market products. I had never worked on a vacuum formed kit or with resin parts until a couple of years ago. I turned to the forum for help. Two of my sons who started building models as youngster still enjoy the hobby. I am retired now and like Swanny said I can devote more time to my hobby.
I’m part of the Medicare Crowd. Turned 71 in December. Been building models ever since I was a kid. My first model was also one of the wood Strombecker kits, a P-80, but it’s lost in the dust of the past.
I guess I would be considered in the young group. I’m only 12, turning 13 in April. I started building models when I was 8. The old Revell P-61. Just because it looked cool. I still have it, but with broken props, etc. because I let my little brother play with it. But the great thing about this hobby is that as said above, that no matter the age, we all respect anothers work.
I’m 23. I built models, (starting with a Matchbox Lancaster) until I discovered girls, football, and cars. Then, engineering school ate up ALL my free time. Now I’m settled in a bit, and have the time, money, and space for models again.
I’m 48, just like Swanny, though I actually have the meager skills he claims. Considering the quality of his DVDs on modeling I think he’s misspelling “superior”. That in no way takes away from the young people who absolutely blow me away with their skill!
As above, a started about 7, but in mid teens chicks, cars, modifying the cars, drink, raves & all that go along with them took over.
I am 38 now & just really trying to get back into it. I have about 6 kits lying around all taken to the point of first paint - but still trying to justify the cost of an H&S Infinity airbrush & CO2 setup - one day soon.
That will be why I hang around in the trivia quiz thread so often & dont show work - again - one day soon.
Firstly, thank you for the compliment! I have been modeling for most of my life, with little breaks here and there when I also discovered girls, cars and music. I built my first one with my father when I was 5, and I was hooked! I am 38 now, and looking forward to MANY more years at the bench! [:D]
Well, I seem to be right in the middle of the young whippersnappers and the folks that yell at them to get off the lawn.
I’ll be 34 come mid-April. I started building right around 5 or 6 years old, lasted until I was about 14 or 15 (my last build was a P-61) and got back into the hobby of December of '06 (just before I joined up here). And I just finished a P-61 [(-D].
Old enough to afford the nice kits and young enough to remember purchasing them [;)] [:p] [(-D]
Hey great thread. I started building model planes from about 4 or 5 out of ‘Lego’ this progressed onto plastic kits and all things WW2. I particularly remember building an American Howitzer that had working recoil and metal barrel. I was about 12-13. My ma trod on that, Bless her. Also an Airfix 1/72 FW190. I loved that plane. Then like others have said girls appeared on the scene and the modelling tailed off. In my early 20’s i got into RC and continued that right up till recently. Now im 38 (Good age Frank) and have been modelling full on for 2 years ish.
Feel free to ask any questions you like. Ive found the only way to improve is to ask others and read all the modelling mags you can.
Hello folks, i am 41 and started modelbuilding when i was 7 with my first kit from my father( a Flying pencil from Airfix) . After a hiatus through army and university i am back since 10 years in modeling.
I’m 31. I started very early, about 7 y/o, when Santa brought my first model, Testor’s Skunk works 1/48 f-18. For some reason my Dad looked more amazed by the box than me… I wonder if Santa got mixed up, I just wanted a Bike… Anyway, my Dad always encourged me to build things (Thanks to him I’m an Architect now… Thanx Dad [:)] ) In those early years I must have “built” a lot. During my teen ages I built some good stuff, including Monogram’s 1/72 B-36, Heller´s 1/72 B707 and 1/72 Superconstellation and aquired quite a good technique. Then came the army and later University and my modeling passion went into a long deep sleep. After that the ModelRailroading bug bit me hard (also an old love since a kid). About 6 months ago I visited a modeling contest at a local hobby and craft store and BAM! The next day I was spending half my bank account in modeling stuff. I have built 3 models since. But time and work is my enemy…
I’m 52 and started at age 7. After all the usual diversions, see above, I’ve been back at it now for 13 years. I love sharing this hobby with all, and it makes me feel good so many younger folks are out there. I started to think we were a dying breed!
I am 34 and I just started back with the hobby in the last 6 months. I built when I was a kid, started when I was about 10. Built all though high school and into my early 20s. Then I lost interest in it when I discovered chess. My decision to pick up the hobby again was a long time coming, as I would buy FSM and also Model Railroader(I will have my own railroad some day… oh yes it will be mine…) and read them for about 6 months before I bought and built a kit again.
In my opinion, it’s too bad that you are “the exception”. If more young people took the time to write a bit more coherently, using actual sentence structure, it would be much easier to read their posts - not to mention understand them. [;)] Props to you for paying attention to grammar - it’ll open a lot of doors for you in the future.
I’m 33, forming the backbone of the 30-somethings with Daywalker and Luftwoller, but I’ve got a ways to go until I catch RJK and some of the other fellas. [(-D]
Like most of the other guys, started modeling early (age 8 or 9) then had to take a break after high school while I was off in the Army and college. Wish I hadn’t taken all that time off! Been back to it now for about a year and a half, and with the ever-growing stash in my closet, don’t seen any more breaks coming any time soon. [:-,]
Great question! I’m 38 and I’ve been modeling since I built a racecar with my grandfather at age 5. I slacked off a little while I was at university, but I’ve always had something in some stage of construction. I agree with Swanny about age not dictating skill. I’ve met a lot of great modelers from across the age spectrum including some “kids” whose work just blows me away. Here’s to my ever-improving skills[#toast] and the fact that each new model will be better than my last.